Lapalco Head Start in Marrero enjoys horse visit

The students at the Lapalco Head Start Center in Marrero didn’t let the cold weather keep them inside when they recently got a visit from a special guest. Gretna resident and Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Advisory Board member Myrell Bergeron bought her horse, Eclipse, to visit with the students.

Students at Lapalco Head Start Center in Marrero pet Eclipse the horse. The horse is owned by Gretna resident and Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Advisory Board member Myrell Bergeron, who recently brought the horse to the students for a visit.

Michele Luke, center supervisor, said the activity was a great educational experience for the children.

“They may see a picture of a horse in a book, but anytime you have an opportunity for real-life experiences, it makes the connection in the brain that this is actually real and it’s not just a picture,” she said. “So, any time we have an opportunity to expose our children to something that’s educational like petting a horse, it’s going to stay with them forever. As they grow, they’ll respect that.”

Jedidiah Jackson, director of Jefferson Community Action Programs (JEFFCAP), said the event gave students a rare opportunity to be exposed to a different type of animal than they are used to seeing.

Students at Lapalco Head Start Center in Marrero recently got a visit from Eclipse the horse. The horse is owned by Gretna resident and Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Advisory Board member, Myrell Bergeron.

“The audience at Head Start actually focuses on children and families who are below the poverty line,” he said. “So, you have to ask yourself how often a family has the opportunity to bring a child to the zoo or travel outside of the community to do any activities like these. So, when you have the opportunity to bring it to the school and bring it to the kids, I think it’s excellent and it allows them to get used to animals.”

Jackson said the activity also teaches students the importance of respect.

“There are actually studies that show that the way children treat animals is how they will treat adults further down in life,” he said. “So, we want to make sure they not only have a respect for themselves, but a respect for the animals and a respect for the wildlife.”

Students at Lapalco Head Start Center in Marrero wait eagery for their chance to meet Eclipse the horse. The horse is owned by Gretna resident and Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter Advisory Board member, Myrell Bergeron, who recently brought the horse to the students for a visit.

Luke agreed.

“Many of our children have a fear (of animals), because they don’t understand,” she said. “I would hope that after this experience they would have a sense to respect animals and not be afraid.”